While the world ponders on the decision, as yet to be made, on where the four gorillas now at Taiping are going to be sent to, I feel it is time that this matter be opened up for discussion once again. The only beings oblivious to the issue at hand must unquestionably be the Taiping Four. It cannot be denied that they must have undergone a traumatic and harrowing experience at being captured, bundled and transported through various routes through Africa and finally ending up in Taiping Zoo.

There is no doubt in my mind that these four animals were captured as a consequence of their mothers being killed. One cannot imagine a poacher trailing a group of gorillas for days ultimately rushing from a point of camouflage to snatch a baby from its mother's arms. Indeed, the mothers were killed.

Somebody out there has to do a Sherlock Holmes in order to unravel the actual events that took place. Hopefully, sometime in the near future, this will be known and we patiently await that day. Cites Malaysia would have given the necessary clearance papers upon a request from the Malaysian government. Likewise the Nigerian government would have made a request for a Cites export permit but unfortunately, somewhere along the line, a scam was perpetrated and the documents from Nigeria were found to be falsified.

Also, rather than point fingers in various directions I am somewhat disappointed that there has been no one to date who has considered the plight that these animals were in. That they were traumatised moved around clandestinely through Africa, finally arriving at Taiping. The only consolation is that they have found a new home in Taiping and new "parents" to look after their well being. They have adapted and grown and are loved by all. Now they have to leave again into an uncertain future.

But what is the Cites Secretariat doing about all this? We need some answers from them. In the meantime, all those NGOs and gurus of animal conservation bicker about where the Taiping Four should go to, sensationalising this issue, seeking sympathy and funds from philanthropists and well wishers. Never a thought about the four!

My humble advice on this is to keep the Taiping Four where they are until the NGOs and gurus make up their minds - but do not take too long. The criminals who did this should be identified, prosecuted and put behind bars for life, with all assets confiscated. I also feel that rather than sending them to an uncertain future, the Malaysian government should attempt to have dialogue with the Cameroonian government. to resolve this issue more practically without having to take a decision based on advice from those NGOs and gurus.